Republicans In Florida May Stall Gambling Issue For More Money

Friday is the deadline for Florida legislators to come up with an agreement that will satisfy both the House and the Senate on the gambling issue. Some lawmakers, however, now believe that Republicans may hold out to ensure another year of political contributions.

"As long as the industry (gambling) continues to give campaign contributions to the Republican Party of Florida, I would say the proposal's in doubt," said Representative Ron Sanders, "When they took out the funding to education, that was the death knell."

Sanders was speaking about the decision to not tie gambling revenue money to education funds in the state. Without the ties to education, it will be much tougher to get gambling opponents in the legislature to agree to expanded gambling options in Florida.

Th Republican representatives in the House have been the major roadblock to a Seminole tribe gambling compact being completed. Now that they are not pressured to act quickly, there is a widespread belief that the party will hold out and try to have the issue shelved until next year.

The politicians are receiving extreme amounts of political contributions on both sides of the Seminole gambling issue. The Seminoles are willing to pay the state a large amount of money to have exclusive rights to blackjack.

Meanwhile, state pari-mutuels have also made significant campaign contributions to help ensure that their interests are also looked after. With four days left until the deadline, it is crunch time for lawmakers.

Senator J.D. Alexander said that a major compromise would be forthcoming on Tuesday from the Senate on the gambling issue. he did not elaborate on what that compromise would be. The House took the first steps toward compromise on Friday by agreeing to allow the Seminoles to keep blackjack at their Broward casinos.

May 5, 2009
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!